Special Projects

The Deafblind Project

The PA Deafblind Project is federally funded over the grant period of October1, 2008 to September 30, 2013. In conjunction with the priorities and mission of PaTTAN, there are five major goals of the deafblind project:

• Goal 1: Provide comprehensive training and technical assistance for educators, service providers, paraeducators, interveners, school psychologists, and families about evidence-based strategies to support the academic achievement and educational outcomes of children and youth who are deafblind.
• Goal 2: Collaborate with local, state, and national entities to implement evidence-based practices for access to natural environments, routines, and the general education curriculum for children and youth who are deafblind.
• Goal 3: Establish competencies and a credential for educators of children and youth who are deafblind.
• Goal 4: Establish competencies for paraeducators and a credential for interveners.
• Goal 5: Develop and expand Family Leadership Network and mentors.
  

Deafblind Project Goal 1 Activities

• Functional Hearing Inventory
• Cortical Visual Impairment Professional Development
• Special Topics/Summer Institute
• Family Involvement Activities
• Sessions at AT Expo
• Regional Learning Days
• Annual Conference for Families
• SPARKLE Distance Learning
• Listserv
• Cochlear Implant Study
• Early and Accurate Identification
  

Deafblind Project Goal 2 Activities

• Evidence-Based Strategies
• Access to General Education Curriculum
• Product Development and Training
• Early Intervention Professional Development
• School Psychologists Professional Development
• Secondary Transition
• Collaboration with PEN and PEAL
  

Deafblind Project Goal 3 Activities

• Year 1: Identify Competencies and Provide Training
• Year 2: Establish Credential and Continue Training on content
• Year 3-5: Provide Training for Credential
  

Deafblind Project Goal 4 Activities

• Year 1-5: Paraeducators Training through PaTTAN
• Year 2: Identify partners for Associate Degree Intervener Program
• Year 1-3: Intervener Training Series through PaTTAN
• Year 3-5: Associate Degree Program
  

Deafblind Project Goal 5 Activities

• Family Leadership Network Training Series
• Family Leadership Network Outreach Through Mentors